The four live chats hosted here through January on the future of California was a bit of an experiment for The Chronicle and SFGate.com. Would readers seek to connect with legislative leaders and budget experts online? Would readers ask penetrating questions, or would the discussion become bogged down in the same-old finger pointing and scapegoating?

The project succeeded beyond our expectations.

During the four one-hour sessions on Wednesdays through January, a total of 2,000 readers logged on and participated in the live chats. About half posted questions.

More than 4,200 readers have replayed the transcripts of the chats to follow the discussions on their own time.

Readers made it clear that they cared about their state and wanted a role in ensuring its future. As California Forward Co-Chairman Bob Hertzberg noted in our final chat, The vast majority of Californians – 86 percent – also believe we can fix the problem. Californians imagine, innovate and build. It’s what we do.”

Readers zeroed in on the problems of the state: the need for more accountability from our elected leaders and stringent measures to address the state’s budget deficits. They wanted full solutions to our long-term problems, not political compromises that appeased special interests but replaced one problem with another.

As one reader asked: “Sirs, there are so many independent taxing districts and so many advisory boards — with vast amounts streaming through them. How do we put EVERYTHING on the table? How do we establish a realistic context for the discussion, before we even begin to think of cutting/adding? Thanks.”

Readers didn’t shy away from the complex or the wonky: They made it clear they wanted to hear proposals for some nuts-and-bolts solutions that departed from business as usual and questioned every premise about how the state does business.

We hope to do more chats in the future. Please post any suggestions for improvements here.

Lois Kazakoff is the deputy editorial page editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.